Funeral for slain detective moved to JSU arena

Smith shot by suspect who also died

UPDATED 7:05 AM CDT Apr 09, 2013

JACKSON, Miss. -

The funeral for slain Jackson Police Detective Eric Smith has been moved to Jackson State University's basketball arena.

The service, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, will be held at JSU's 8,000-seat Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center, said police spokeswoman Colendula Green. It was originally set for JSU's Rose McCoy Auditorium.

Burial at Autumn Woods Cemetery in Jackson will follow the funeral. Visitation is Friday from 6-8 p.m., at Black's Chapel in Jackson.

Smith was killed Thursday while questioning Jeremy Powell, 23, in connection with the April 1 stabbing death of Christopher Alexander, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said. Powell wrestled Smith's gun away, shot Smith and then killed himself, MBI officials said.

The Associated Press reported that a person with knowledge of the investigation said the shooting took place in an interrogation room at Jackson Police headquarters and was recorded on video. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on the condition of anonymity because he or she was not authorized to talk about the ongoing investigation.

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart said Smith had been shot four times -- twice in the chest and twice in the arm. Powell was shot twice -- once in the jaw and once in the head. She said all six shots came from the same weapon.

Another officer in the room fired at least one shot, but it did not strike either Powell or Smith, the coroner said.

Green said the department will not answer questions out of respect for Smith's family.

A candlelight vigil was held Sunday at New Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay tribute to Smith.

Local law enforcement officers, including those from JPD, have donned black and blue ribbons over their badges in memory of Smith.

Jeremy Powell, left, is accused of shooting and killing Detective Eric Smith before turning the gun on himself, MBI says.

Photos

Jeremy Powell, left, is accused of shooting and killing Detective Eric Smith before turning the gun on himself, MBI says.

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